(670 The Score) - The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury from the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, as first reported by TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger and ESPN hockey reporter Emily Kaplan.
Fleury’s addition would be a massive step toward competing at a higher level for the Blackhawks, as he’s the reigning Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s best goalie. Fleury, 36, had a 1.98 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in 36 games last season. He’s a five-time All-Star with a .913 save percentage in his 17-year NHL career.
The deal is more or less a salary dump from Vegas’ perspective, as the team won’t retain any of Fleury's $7 million salary through this upcoming season, Kaplan reported. The trade helps the Golden Knights open up their projected salary cap space to around $12,213 million. It also now gives goalie Robin Lehner the reins to take over as the starting goalie in Vegas.
In return, the Blackhawks will trade minor league forward Mikael Hakkarainen to the Golden Knights. He didn’t register a point in six games with the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League last season, and had one point in six games for the ECHL's Indy Fuel.
In the immediate aftermath of the news breaking Tuesday, there was some uncertainty about the details and whether Fleury plans to report to Chicago. There was speculation across the NHL that Fleury could choose to retire if was traded, as reported by Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman.
According to Fleury's agent, Allan Walsh, the veteran netminder has yet to hear from the Golden Knights about whether he's been traded to Chicago. Fleury will now be taking time to discuss his future in the NHL with his family.
If Fleury is in the Blackhawks' picture next season, his addition and accompanying salary will necessitate other cost-cutting moves for Chicago to get under the salary cap. According to CapFriendly, Chicago currently sits with just $594,953 of projected cap space with three restricted free agents to sign this offseason.